How to survive a Chinese drinking frenzy

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 04:57 — Anonymous by Trista BaldwinIf you thought
shotgunning a beer in under five seconds back in uni was the pinnacle of
drinking prowess, you've probably never been properly ganbei'd. China's
version of "down the hatch" is a bit like the Power Hour, which involves
repeated and prolonged shooting of small amounts of alcohol -- red wine if
you're lucky, baijiu if you're not. Though observed in all social
circles, ganbei is particularly prominent in China's formal banquet
culture, where business suits and government officials rub elbows, talk
business and get completely sloshed. Shanghai-based food and wine critic
Lawrence Lo and a few seasoned ganbei-ers, shared the secrets of this
thoroughly intoxicating custom.  1. You're in, or you're out While
you're not obliged to chug the night away, it is tacitly expected at a
business banquet.read more